Concerts at the St. Charles Church

St. Charles Church in ViennaKarlskirche Wien

The St. Charles Church (Karlskirche) is considered architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach's
greatest work. It is also a Viennese icon and an expression of the Austrian joie de vivre.

In 1713, one year after the last great plague epidemic, Charles VI, Holy Roman
Emperor, pledged to build a church for his namesake patron saint, Charles
Borromeo, who was revered as a healer for plague sufferers. An architectural
competition was announced, in which Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach prevailed
over, among others, Ferdinando Galli-Bibiena and Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt.
Construction began in 1716. After J.B. Fischer‘s death in 1723, his son, Joseph
Emanuel Fischer von Erlach, completed the construction in 1737 using partially
altered plans. The church originally possessed a direct line of sight to the
Hofburg.

Architecture

As a creator of historic architecture, J.B. Fischer united the most diverse of
elements. The façade in the center, which leads to the porch, corresponds to a
Greek temple portico. The neighboring two columns, crafted by Lorenzo Mattielli,
found a model in Trajan‘s Column in Rome. Next to those, two tower pavilions
extend out and show the influence of the Roman baroque (Bernini and Borromini).
Above the entrance, a dome rises up above a high drum, which the younger J.E.
Fischer shortened and partly altered.

The iconographical program of the church originated from the
imperial official Carl Gustav Heraeus and connects St. Charles Borromeo with his
imperial benefactor. The relief on the pediment above the entrance with the
cardinal virtues and the figure of the patron on its apex point to the
motivation of the donation. This sculpture group continues onto the attic story
as well. The attic is also one of the elements which the younger Fischer
introduced. The columns display scenes from the life of Charles Borromeo in a
spiral relief, however they also recall the Pillars of Hercules and act as
symbols of imperial power. The entrance is flanked by angles from the Old and
New Testaments. This continues in the interior as well, above all, the dome
fresco by Johann Michael Rottmayr of Salzburg and Gaetano Fanti which displays
an intercession of Charles Borromeo, supported by the Virgin Mary. The cardinal
virtues surround the scene. The frescos in a number of side chapels are
attributed to Daniel Gran. The high altar painting portraying the ascension of
the saint was conceptualized by the elder Fischer and executed by Ferdinand
Maximilian Brokoff. The altar paintings in the side chapels are by various
artists, including Daniel Gran, Sebastiano Ricci, Martino Altomonte, and Jakob
van Schuppen. As strong effect emanates from the directing of light and
architectural grouping, in particular the arch openings of the main axis. The
color scheme is characterized by marble with sparring and conscious use of gold
leaf.

How to get to St. Charles Church

Address

KarlskircheKarlsplatz1040 Vienna (4th district)

Air-conditioned

No

Wheelchair access

11 steps, ask staff for assistance

By public transportation

The subway lines U1, U2 and U4 have a station at the Karlsplatz, where the St. Charles Church is located. The tram lines
#1 and #62 also have a station there.

By car

Because of the church's close proximity to the Technical University of Vienna, the Vienna Museum and the Naschmarkt, parking spots are hard to find. Additionally the area around the
Karlsplatz is a labyrinth of narrow one-way streets.
The area is also a short-term parking zone (Kurzparkzone) from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 22:00 with a maximum parking time of two hours.
Prepaid parking vouchers may be purchased at tobacconists, all points of advance sale and ticket machines at all Vienna public transport
underground stations, automobile clubs ARBÖ and ÖAMTC and some petrol/gas stations.

By Taxi

Taxis are a reliable and common means to get to your concert. Taxis are
usually found at train stations and at taxi stands all over the city. Or you can order a taxi by calling
31 300,
60 160,
40 100 or
81 400.

Concerts at the St. Charles Church - a musical experience on historical instruments!